Government's travel warnings must be specific

A warning issued "by error" earlier this month by the Home Office suggested that all modes of mass transport could be targets for terrorists

By Anton La Guardia, Diplomatic Editor

12:01AM GMT 16 Nov 2002

A warning issued "by error" earlier this month by the Home Office suggested that all modes of mass transport could be targets for terrorists.

The early draft added ominously: "Maybe they will try to develop some kind of poison gas. Maybe they will try to use boats or trains rather than planes. The bottom line is that we simply cannot be sure." In the final version, ministers removed the section on the dirty bomb and poison gas, leaving a reference only to a general threat.

The current "worldwide" travel warning says that "UK nationals should be aware of the risk of indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets in public places, including tourist sites".

This phrase appears on virtually every page of advice, including those referring to France and Ireland. Rather than seeking to protect travellers, such catch-all advice seems designed to protect bureaucrats from any accusation of neglecting the safety of Britons abroad.

The public row over the failure to upgrade the advice for Britons in Indonesia before the Bali bomb illustrates how the Government needs to balance the danger of creating unnecessary panic against the risk of failing to give timely warning.

One practical piece of advice would be to rate security arrangements at different airports around the world. Is Manila a safer airport than Bangkok? It might help many people choose next summer's family holiday destination.